Danish MMA fighter Jonas “Shark” Mågård has cemented his imprint on Europe’s combat sports scene. The 32-year-old member of Manchester Top Team is the all-time, longest-reigning OKTAGON Bantamweight champ, having held the title 629 days from 2021 to 2023.
The proud Dane took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss the pivot from Lima to Hill, his journey to the top in Europe, and future goals for his MMA career.
Mågård Relishes Every Opportunity: “I had to focus on myself and get the best fight for me”
Mågård dropped the title to Felipe Lima in a brutally physical, five-round bout at OKTAGON 45 one year ago. With a rematch scheduled for July 20, 2024, Lima signed a contract with the UFC only a month before the bout was set to take place.
He got an offer from the UFC, so he jumped onto that — I can’t blame him, but I had to focus on myself.
Josh Hill stepped up to replace Lima at OKTAGON 59, but it didn’t go well for the Canadian. Magard defeated Hill by unanimous decision in three rounds in an impressive performance in Bratislava, Slovakia.
It was a perfect fight, perfect name, and perfect record for me to beat.
Although Magard made easy work of Hill, he described the fight as “boring”.
I just wanted to hurt him a bit more — he was very hard to open up, he was very defensive. I know he was restricting my right hand a lot, and so it was hard to open him up — he was like a shield.
Mågård advanced to 17-6 in his professional MMA career and 5-2 in OKTAGON.
Mågård Turns Early Failures into Gold: “I’m still carrying that with me”
It didn’t take Mågård long to establish himself as one of the most dangerous fighters in Europe.
Mågård turned pro in 2013 after fighting as an amateur for only two years. However, it wasn’t a strong start for Mågård as a professional fighter — losing three of his first four bouts. It was a frustrating period in his career, but he used this as fuel to return more determined than ever.
It was just shit. I just took it as a test to be fair because I’m just so stubborn. I knew, actually, It motivated me more — I wanted to show that it’s not going to define me, that I lost three times, I’m just going to show everybody.
Mågård has only lost three more bouts after losing the third fight of his career in 2016. He’s currently on a two-fight wins streak, including a victory over Jack Cartwright and his latest victory over Hill.
The savvy in-ring technician has largely depended on his grappling prowess to rise to the top in OKTAGON. Mågård has won 41% of his fights by submission, 47% by decision, and 12% wins via KO/TKO.
Heart of a Champion
Mågård powered through adversity early in his career to finally reach the pinnacle of MMA in Europe in 2021. In a unanimous decision win over Filip Macek, Mågård captured the OKTAGON Bantamweight Championship.
He would later successfully defend the title in thrilling fashion against Gustavo Lopez at OKTAGON 41. Mågård, who is known for his grappling, won the fight on punches with a TKO in the second round.
The most important thing is to just focus on yourself — you cannot control anything else. I always say relax, nothing is in control. That’s really how it is. The only thing you can control is how ready and prepared you are.
Thanks to this determined perspective, Mågård quickly rose through the European MMA rankings.
According to Tapology’s current fighter rankings, Mågård is the No. 1 rated bantamweight in the Czech Republic — OKTAGON’s base country. Additionally, he is No. 1 in Eastern Europe and the No. 2 bantamweight in Europe.
Testing His Limits: “I like getting outside of my comfort zone”
In offering advice, everyone can learn from Mågård, the former bantamweight champ credits his success to believing in himself, persistence, and unrelenting work ethic. He also believes in getting outside of his comfort zone to remain hungry for success.
Despite Mågård’s Manchester Top Team being affiliated in England, he primarily trains out of Holland. Mågård says that training between Holland and Manchester helps him build character.
If I was just training in the same gym every day, fighting with the same guys and stuff, it just becomes normal.
Mågård also references his son as playing a significant role in motivating him in and outside the ring.
Having a son and having to provide for him and showing him a good example is very important to me.
Mågård added that his son has created a good balance for his life, which includes watching Disney movies with him regularly. The Dane credits a holistic strategy for getting where he is in his career. That includes never giving up.
From when he lost three of four fights to begin his professional journey in MMA to not giving up against Lima, Mågård has never been one to back down.
“I’m here for the best competition, of course. That’s what I’m doing, I’m 32 years old, I need to prove myself. I’m doing this for more than money, it’s for my legacy.
Trash Talking Comes Natural: “I never say stupid shit”
Over the course of Mågård’s career, he has been classified as a bit of a trash-talker. For instance, before losing to Mågård on April 15, 2023, Lopez called out his opponent’s mind games.
That said, Mågård claims that he isn’t really a trash-talker.
It comes very natural to me. And, I don’t really trash-talk, that’s what people need to understand. I never just say stupid shit. Most of the things I say [are] the things I see.
Mågård admits that his honesty and pointing things out can make opponents feel uncomfortable, but at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter, and he’s going to get hit anyway.
It doesn’t matter if I tell them they’re a dickhead, you know? But, I don’t try to be like personal and say stupid shit. I actually try to be relevant with what I’m saying because I feel that works the best.
Smack talk and jabs aside, Mågård’s resolute work ethic has spoken for itself in OKTAGON.
Looking to the Future — Is the UFC in Mågård’s Plans?
Mågård remains determined to get the OKTAGON Bantamweight Championship back around his waist. “Shark” was left frustrated when his rematch versus Lima was denied, and the title was officially vacated.
I think I’m the only choice right now. I’ve proved it. I’ve been the champ before and beat everyone they’ve brought in to me after I lost the title, so, yeah. I’m the obvious choice, I’m No. 1 in the division.
Following Lima’s exit and the win over Hill, Mågård is in the driver’s seat in the OKTAGON bantamweight division. Ahead of Farbod Nezhad and Mate Sanikidze, Mågård is first in the promotion’s bantamweight rankings.
Mågård isn’t scheduled for any upcoming OKTAGON fight cards following his win over Hill in Slovakia on July 20. The bout was the final match on his contract, with Mågård currently listed as a free agent.
The 5’8” Dane is open to returning to OKTAGON and praises working for the Czech/Slovak based MMA promotion.
It’s just the all-around environment, the people working there, the staff, everybody is so nice, and I’ve been with them for like four years now, I think. I know the people working there, and it’s like one big family.
However, what if Dana White presented the talented Danish grappler with a contract to fight in the UFC?
We’ll see, we’ll see what happens, this fight was the last on my contract, so I’m a free agent right now. And, it’s been a long time since I’ve been free on the market like this, so just see what makes sense.
While Mågård’s future in MMA is bright, it seems only time will tell whether he remains with OKTAGON.
